Wire-stretcher



(NdModex.)

' J. B. DUSANG. `WIRE STRETGHER.

Paten@ Aug. 20, 189.5.

UNITED STATESV PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN'E. DUSANG, OF LARUE, OHIO.

`W| RE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,725, dated August 20, 1895.

Application tiled September 20, 1894. Serial No. 523,619. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cern,.-

Be it known that I, JOHN E. DUsANc, a citizen'of the United States, residing at Larue, in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Fence, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in felices. l

The object of the present invention is to` improve the construction of wire fences and to provide a portable one which may be readily taken down and quickly erected, and in which the wires may be stretchedindependently of each other with great convenience.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of afence constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of thechain-receiving ratchet-wheels. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective y view of one of the detachable wireclamps.

Like numerals of reference indicate like partsin all the figures of the drawings.

1 and 2 designate end posts, which are supported by inclined inwardly-extending braces 3, each composed of a pair of bars located at opposite sides of fence-wires 4 and having their lower ends resting upon the ground and connected by a transverse bolt 5 or similar fastening device. The lower end of each brace is connected with its respective post by a horizontally-disposed truss-rod 6, located at the bottom of the fence and provided at its inner end with a hook or eye 7, receivingthe transversely-disposed fastening device 5, and the outer end of the truss-rod is threaded and is engaged by a nut 7, whereby the brace may be drawn to the desired. degree of tightness. perforation of the end post 1, and the nut thereof engages the post directly,while the post 2, which is composed of al pair of vertical bars S, is spanned by a tie-plate 9, which has a perforation to receive the truss-rod, and it is engaged by the nut.

The fence-wires are stapled or otherwise secured to an intermediate post 10, any number One of the truss-rods passes through a of which may be provided,according to the length of the fence. They are supported by vertical pickets 1l, and they are passed through perforations of the end post 1 and are held by clamps 13, detachably arranged on the outer face of the post and held in place by the tension of the wires.

Each clamp is composed of a pair of surbstantially semi-oval sections 14 and 14a, having inner straight edges bearing against the post 1, and provided with bolt-openings 15 and 15a, receiving a connecting-bolt 16, the opening'la being rectangular to conform to vthe squared portion of the bolt adjacent to the head thereof. The sections of the clamp 13 are provided at intermediate points on their inner faces with serrated portions 17, engaging and firmly holding a fence-Wire, and below the serrated portions 17 one of the sections is provided with a projecting rectangular lug 30 and the other section has a corresponding socket 31, whereby the sections are prevented from turning on each other when the nut 32 of the bolt 16 is screwed inward for clamping afence-wire. By this construction any size wire may be readily arranged in the clamp and the wires may be stretched separately. The clamps also permit the wires to be readily removed from the end post l when it is desired to take down the fence.

The other ends of the wires are secured to a vertically disposed attachment bar 18, to which is connected by eyebolts 19 upper and lower chains 20, extending from the attachment-bar to the end post 2 and engaged by grooved ratchet-wheels 21, located at the top and bottom of the post 2 between the vertical bars thereof. Each ratchet-wheel is provided at the periphery of its flanges, which are formed by the circumferential groove 22, with teeth 23, which are engaged by ahinged or pivoted pawl 24, mounted between the vertical bars of the post, and at intervals between the flanges, at opposite sides ofthe groove, are arranged recesses 25 for receiving the laterally-disposed links of the chain, the other links fitting snugly in the bottom of the groove. The end of the chainis held close to the sprocket-wheel by a block'27, which prevents the free end of the chain from leaving the ratchet-wheel, whereby the chain is Iirmly attached inthe groove of the wheel.

Each ratchet-wheel is fixed to or formed integral with a shaft 28 or journals having squared terminals projecting from the post and adapted to be engaged by a Wrench or similartool, whereby the ratclietwheels are rotated, and by locating the ratchet-vvheels at the top and bottom of the post the upper and lower portions of the fence maybe tightened independently of each other.

It will be seen that the fence is simple and inexpensive in construction, that the end posts are rmlybraeed and may be tightened from time to time, and that the fence-Wires are detachably secured to the end posts and may be readily removed to provide a portable fence. It will also be seen that an effective Wire-stretching device is provided.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing' from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

hat l claim is- Il.- In a fence, the combination ot a fence post, composed of vertical bars, fence Wi res, a vertical attachment bar connected with the fence wires, upper and lower chains secured at their inner ends to the attachment bar, the upper and lower ratchet wheels journaled between the bars of the post, and provided with a peripheral groove forming opposite flanges, each liange being provided with ratchet teeth, said ratchet wheels being provided at opposite sides ot' the groove at intervals with recesses to receive the laterally projecting links of said chains, and the upper and lower pawls journaied between the posts and located above the ratchet wheels and engaging both sets of ratchet teeth, substantially as described.

2. In a fence, the combination with a post having a perforation and a Wire passing through the perforation, of a clamp composed of two sections rigidly connected and having inner serrated Wire engaging faces and provided With straight edges bearing against said post, one ofthe sections being provided with a socket, and the other having a lug fitting in the socket, and a fastening device passing through the sections and securing them detachably in their engagement with the fence wire, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN E. DUSANG. lVitnesses:

W. L. Manns, Trios. L. BAnToW. 

